The bottom line is clear: Our vital interests in Afghanistan are limited and military victory is not the key to achieving them. On the contrary, waging a lengthy counterinsurgency war in Afghanistan may well do more to aid Taliban recruiting than to dismantle the group, help spread conflict further into Pakistan, unify radical groups that might otherwise be quarreling amongst themselves, threaten the long-term health of the U.S. economy, and prevent the U.S. government from turning its full attention to other pressing problems. -- Afghanistan Study Group

Reported security incidents#1: A NATO airstrike has reportedly killed at least 10 civilians, including five children, in eastern Afghanistan. The airstrike took place in the Shigal district of the Kunar Province, an area with a heavy Taliban presence. Afghan officials say the 10 dead civilians were from two local families. District governor Abdul Zahir said three Taliban commanders, including a notorious Al Qaeda-linked militant leader called Shahpoor, were also killed in the raid.#2: Three Pakistani traders were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside
landmine here on Wednesday. According to Afghan officials, three Pakistani traders were heading towards
Trade Centre when their car struck a landmine in Spain Boldak district near
Pak-Afghan border.#3: According to local authorities in western Farah province of Afghanistan, at least seven Afghan civilians were killed by Iranian border protection security forces. A local security official speaking on the condition of anonymity said the deceased civilians were looking to enter Iran illegally to find a job and were shot dead on Afghanistan-Iran border. The source further added that the incident took place in Lash Joyand district on Friday and the dead bodies of the civilians were taken to this province on Tuesday.